Last Updated on November 25, 2022 by mdmtool
There are two main types of electronic components: capacitors and inductors. Both these components are used to store or release energy, but they work differently.
What Is A Capacitor?
Capacitors are made of two conducting plates separated by an insulating material. When a voltage is applied to the capacitor, charges build up on the plates and create an electric field. The size of the capacitor (the amount of charge it can store) is determined by the surface area of the plates and the distance between them.
Capacitors are used in various electronic devices, such as radios, televisions, and computers. They are also used in power supplies and motor starters.
What Is An Inductor?
Inductors are made of a coil of wire. When a current flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic field. The size of the inductor (the amount of energy it can store) is determined by the number of turns in the coil and the diameter of the wire.
Inductors are used in electronic devices such as radios and televisions. They are also used in power supplies and motors.
Difference Between Capacitor And Inductor
- Field: Capacitors store energy in an electric field, while inductors store energy in a magnetic field. This is the main difference between a capacitor and an inductor.
- Inductors and Inductance: An inductor is an electronic device that stores energy in the form of a magnetic field. The amount of energy that an inductor can store is called its inductance. Inductors are made up of a coil of wire. A magnetic field is created around the coil when a current is passed through it. This field stores energy through a magnetic potential difference between the coil turns.
- Resistance: The measure of a material’s ability to conduct electric current. The lower the resistance, the better the material conducts.
- Capacitance: The measure of a capacitor’s ability to store an electric charge. The higher the capacitance, the more charge a capacitor can keep.
- Inductance: The measure of an inductor’s ability to store energy in the form of a magnetic field. The higher the inductance, the more energy an inductor can store.
- Properties and applications: Capacitors are used in various electronic devices, including radios, televisions, computers, and cell phones. They are also used in electric motors and generators. Inductors are used in electronic devices such as radios and TVs to store energy in the form of a magnetic field. They are also used in electric motors and generators.
- Unit of Measurement: The basic unit of measurement for capacitance is the farad (F). The basic unit of measurement for inductance is the henry(H).
Types Of Capacitor
There are two main types of capacitors: electrolytic and non-electrolytic.
- Electrolytic capacitors are made with a thin layer of aluminum oxide that acts as the dielectric or insulating material. The aluminum oxide is formed when an electric current is passed through the capacitor during manufacturing. This type of capacitor is usually cylindrical and can store energy.
- Non-electrolytic capacitors are made with various materials, such as paper, plastic, or ceramic. These materials are not as effective at keeping energy as aluminum oxide, so non-electrolytic capacitors.
Types Of Inductor
The most common inductors are air core, iron core, and toroidal.
- Air core inductors are the simplest and least expensive type of inductor. They are made of a coil of wire with no core material inside.
- Iron core inductors use an iron or ferrite material as the core, increasing the inductance and cost.
- Toroidal inductors are made by winding the coil of wire around a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) piece of ferrite or iron, which concentrates the magnetic field and increases the inductance.
Conclusion
A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field, while an inductor is a device that stores magnetic energy in a magnetic field. Both devices have their own unique set of applications. While a capacitor can store electrical energy, an inductor is often used to store magnetic energy.
